The Red Hand

Ahead to the Future

Ogma sat in her rickety rocking chair, a skeletal servant standing by her side with a cup of steaming hot tea. Her attention was focused solely on the head of Neferekhu in her gilded cage. The undead monstrosity was obviously trying to scream, but Ogma wasn’t having any of it and it was clear that something about her outstretched hand thankfully kept the head quiet.
-This is an interesting find, Nasah.
-Thank you mistress.
-I discussed it with master Carrow and, although he was a little dismissive, he did admit that these seers, the few truly gifted that is, can reveal interesting secrets… The problem, obviously is her attitude. I’ve washed her mouth out with soap a few times since you brought her to me, but that didn’t seem to help.
-I apologize mistress.
-No, no, I’ve heard and seen worse. In fact this is an interesting learning opportunity because we get to observe directly the effect of negative energy on a sentient psyche… In a few of her lucid, non self destructive moments, we were able to discuss some of her own research into her condition and, coupled with my experience, I believe we came up with a potential solution.
The head nods vigourously.
-The thing is, she doesn’t want to entirely forfeit her current state. She says that being somewhere between life and death has heightened her gift’s powers. I believe that if we were to transfer her conscience into another vessel on the brink, but not powered by negative energy, we might be able to save her gift and get rid of her uncooperative nature. Unfortunately, her grandson’s ritual will only allow her to inhabit a generally head-shaped vessel. Do you see wher we’re going with this?
-Not quite mistress.
-We need a troll head… But not any troll, we need one that’s been steeped in dark magic for a time. I think I know where you could get what we need.
Neferekhu starts jumping about her cage.
-Yes, yes… And we’d prefer a “pretty” one…